The offensive line continues to be a work in progress for the Nebraska football team. Head coach Bill Callahan and offensive line coach Dennis Wagner have patiently developed NU's young linemen and in 2006 Husker fans got a glimpse of how much better things could be in the future.

For the first time since Callahan has been in Lincoln, the offensive line was able to establish a solid ground game. The other thing that stood out about the line is NU only loses two seniors, so next season things will only get better.

The high points

All throughout spring practice and fall camp Callahan spent most of his time working with Wagner developing the offensive line.

In order to win a Big 12 North title, Callahan knew it all had to start with the play of the offensive line. If you look at the previous Big 12 North champions, both Colorado and Kansas State ran the football with a physical presence.

During Nebraska's three non-conference wins over Louisiana Tech, Nicholls State and Troy, Callahan let his offensive line establish a solid rhythm.

The Huskers ran the ball an average of 48 times in each of those games and it sent a message to the rest of the Big 12 that Nebraska was going to play with a physical presence in 2006.

In 2005, NU ranked last in the Big 12 averaging 96 rushing yards per game to go along with just 10 rushing touchdowns. In 2007, the Huskers finished sixth in the league averaging 171 rushing yards per game and third in the Big 12 with 27 rushing touchdowns.